NYC Restaurant Deals -- Continental Restaurant Week

From May 1 through May 10, you can take a world tour of global cuisine without leaving New York. For Continental Restaurant Week, twelve New York City restaurants have been selected to represent the unique culinary styles of twelve delicious countries.

All are offering special menus and cool extras like behind-the-scenes kitchen tours, complimentary tastings and take-home treats. Sounds like a great idea for a date night and a fantastic way to make this Mother's Day (on Sunday, May 10) a special one. Here are some of your options:

• Alfama (Portugal) – Diners will experience an authentic 5-course meal, ending with a glass of port from Alfama's extensive collection. You’ll also take home a box of Pasteis de nata, traditional Portuguese custard cakes.
• Delmonico’s (United States) – After enjoying an exclusively designed menu featuring Delmonico's most famous dishes, diners will take a personal tour of the restaurant, a National Historic Landmark, and take home a complimentary signed copy of the cookbook Dining at Delmonico's.
• Del Posto (Italy) – After your delicious Italian meal, you'll have the opportunity to tour Del Posto's extensive wine cellar and bring a taste of the restaurant home with a special gift bag filled with the chef's favorite Italian delicacies.
• L’Ecole (France) – Guests will begin the evening with a behind the scenes look at L'Ecole's teaching kitchens. Later, you can indulge in a unique dessert and cocktail featuring rare Grapefruit Thai Basil Tea and take home a sample and recipe so you can recreate the experience at home.
• Nobu (Japan) – Nobu's talented chefs will start the meal with a complimentary Chef's Selection Amuse-Gueule. Diners will finish on a sweet note, with a signature fruit sake or shochu.
• Plataforma (Brazil) – Guests will go behind the scenes on a tour of the kitchen with one of Plataforma's Master Carvers. You'll also get a complimentary cairpirinha-making kit so you can enjoy the traditional (and yummy) Brazilian cocktail at home.

Get more details about Continental Restaurant Week and the special offerings at all twelve participating restaurants.